Це відео не доступне.
Перепрошуємо.

Why I Don't Use Spanish Slang Anymore & Why You Shouldn't Either

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 21 лис 2023
  • In this video, I discuss the reasons why using slang when speaking Spanish is a bad idea in many instances. Some can pull it off, but most of us should stick to regular/standard Spanish. What do you think?
    If you're looking to learn Spanish, check out my book: www.amazon.com...
    En este video, analizo las razones por las que usar jerga cuando se habla español es una mala idea en muchos casos. Algunos pueden lograrlo, pero la mayoría de nosotros deberíamos ceñirnos al español normal/estándar. ¿Qué opinas?
    Si estás buscando aprender español, mira mi libro: www.amazon.com...

КОМЕНТАРІ • 88

  • @kylemontiel-berner8694
    @kylemontiel-berner8694 8 місяців тому +16

    Before ppl get triggered. Mikes talking about using slang with strangers. With your friends Have fun with it!

  • @cook4738
    @cook4738 8 місяців тому +23

    I totally agree with this! I've been learning spanish for years and now that I'm more advanced I've (for some odd reason) been fixated on getting rid of my neutral accent. Thinking i should use Colombian slang or learning a certain dialect but seeing this I've realized that its okay and actually better that i speak nuetral spanish so i don't worry about using certain words the wrong way or accidentally offending someone. The idea is to communicate and exchange ideas effectively, all of us spanish learners should focus on that and nothing else.

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  8 місяців тому +5

      Agreed 100%. Also, if you're in the states, speaking a standard Spanish makes it much easier to be understood by the diverse range of Spanish speakers here.

    • @danilopompey754
      @danilopompey754 8 місяців тому +2

      @@MikeBen, no estás siendo claro. No se puede mezclar el acento con la jerga; son dos cosas distintas. Lo que tú llamas argot no siempre es "argot" en el sentido peyorativo en el que pareces estar usando la palabra. En muchos casos, se habla de "localidades", que hay que conocer para entender el dialecto local del español, y si hay que conocerlas, por qué quieres abstenerte de usarlas me resulta bastante desconcertante. Pero para cada cual lo suyo. Así que, de acuerdo, pero para que lo sepas, ser demasiado formal en un momento inoportuno puede meterte en problemas, digamos que te roben. La capacidad de utilizar la lengua vernácula local es una herramienta más en tu bolsa de conocimientos lingüísticos, no algo denigrante o inferior, simplemente una herramienta más.

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  8 місяців тому

      @@danilopompey754 Buen punto, como dije, todo depende pero hay que tener cuidado de todos modos. Se debe usar un ocasiones correctas

    • @danilopompey754
      @danilopompey754 8 місяців тому

      @@MikeBen, hermano mío, gacias por responder; de hecho, sueles responder a lo que digo. Sé que estás cursando un máster, así que nos parecemos. Ya tengo yo un máster en lenguas románicas y otro en inglés, pero en muchos aspectos somos hermanos iguales. La diferencia es: Yo empecé años antes que tú, ya que empecé a estudiar español por mi cuenta en 2003 y obtuve una certificación para enseñar español en Louisana en 2005, dos días antes de que el Katrina azotara nuestra lejana ciudad de Nueva Orleans.
      De suerte, como refugiado, estudié español como estudiante avansado en la Universidad de Austin Peay, pero cómo lo conseguí esto es otra historia completamente distinta. De todos modos, volví a Nueva Orleans 2 años más tarde con suficientes créditos de español para ser admitido en estudios de posgrado en español en la UNO. Y tomé mi Maestría en 2010, después de haber enseñado Inglés en la Universidad de Salamanca en España durante 2 años mientras estudiaba español en un programa de Maestría en Filosofía, donde desarrollé, irónicamente, un aprecio por el Inglés porque cuando mis compañeros de clase hicieron argumentos utilizando términos sofisticados, siempre tenían que repetirlo porque nadie, eso sí, graduados, hablantes nativos de español no podía entender lo que querían decir la primera vez.
      Pero más importante, tengo más de 45 mil horas de audio en español, grabadas de Radio Nederland, una emisora ya desaparecida. Muchas de ellas son bastante singulares y se centran en temas de gente negro, y creo que te gustarían, pero cada vez que te pido que le cojas el gusto, me ignoras. Pero como compañero que aprende idiomas, simplemente le pido que me permita enviarle una muestra porque estoy seguro de que querrá más. Por mi parte, compré tu libro, hice que mi sobrino lo comprara y he disfrutado de tu trabajo, todo lo que he pedido es que revises un episodio de radio. ¿Qué me dice, una vez más?

  • @Piano_Kid90
    @Piano_Kid90 8 місяців тому +19

    Great video. I totally understand this. It’s literally the same way someone walks up to a group of black people and says “yo yo yo what’s good homie…” super cringe because it comes off like mocking, and it’s just plain weird. I just visited Mexico City 2 weeks ago and I avoided slang. First off, I am nowhere close to fluency and all I needed to do is get my point across to eat, buy tickets, or say perdon to move my way through a crowd. So yes, I totally get it!

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  8 місяців тому +6

      Agreed, the key is to be understood and to use it when appropriate but as you mentioned in the example that you gave, often times it isn't appropriate. It can be done tastefully but with the right people. Que sigas aprendiendo!

  • @ledelste
    @ledelste 8 місяців тому +7

    It’s just like using slang in any language, including our own. And it’s a super nuanced thing.

  • @louandbarb
    @louandbarb 8 місяців тому +6

    Linguistic and cultural courtesy - you summed it all up with that phrase. And I totally agree.

  • @TheModotus
    @TheModotus 8 місяців тому +6

    It all depends on the person in the receiving end. I'm Spanish currently learning English and French. If an English native speaker wants to fully integrate my language, I'd be happy to help. I must say that hearing Mexican slang in Spain is not the best if you want to integrate

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  8 місяців тому

      Very true, there is some finesse to using it for sure and some people appreciate it while others may view it as a little strange.

  • @QueenD08
    @QueenD08 8 місяців тому +2

    I get so excited when you make a new video Mike ! Glad to see you back!

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  8 місяців тому

      Thank you!

  • @Leo-Jack
    @Leo-Jack 8 місяців тому +6

    Hola Mike! Gracias por el video. Concuerdo que puede ser raro e incluso grosero usar jerga cuando no eres nativo de Español. Es interesante también el punto que planteas sobre las personas que poseen algo difícil de describir que les permite usar esta jerga sin sonar extraño. Para mi, nunca intento utilizar jerga conscientemente cuando hablo. Sin embargo, por haber pasado tanto tiempo conversando con amigos mexicanos, a veces me sale "¡Qué chido!" en vez de "¡Qué genial!". Creo que la diferencia aquí es que no es algo que yo decida hacer, más bien es un resultado natural de pasar tiempo interactuando con un cierto sabor de Español. Por otro lado, cuando alguien decide usar jerga de forma consciente, a propósito, así se vuele problemático para mi.

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  8 місяців тому +4

      Esa es la distinción exacta que estaba buscando. Es eso, cuando la gente trata de usar jerga conscientemente es cuando sale muy raro. Si sale naturalmente y es usada de una forma apropiada yo no creo que haya ningún problema en esos casos. Gracias por explicarlo así Leo.

  • @truestory923
    @truestory923 8 місяців тому +7

    I agree with you that we need to think about these nuances when speaking a second language.
    But I am not sure if it's inauthentic as much as it's presumptuous as it breaks the boundaries that we are expected to engage in when we're an outsider
    And by the way, not all Canadians talk like that... Just like your Jamaican example 😉

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  8 місяців тому +1

      Very good point. It's a fine line that can be navigated if done correctly.

  • @danielbenavides1906
    @danielbenavides1906 8 місяців тому +7

    Es cierto, suena muy forzado en muchos casos. Es mejor concentrarse en aprender un español estándar y usar la jerga correcta en su debido contexto. No utilizar jerga Mexicana con alguien de Argentina.

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  8 місяців тому +2

      Tienes toda la razón Daniel. Gracias por este comentario.

  • @dukie17
    @dukie17 8 місяців тому +5

    I learned spanish living in colombia and ill always use the slangg bc thats what i learned. slang is a beautiful way of communication . your canadian comparison i think is different bc thats the same language ur speaking w a different accent. But if you learn a certain countries spanish its completely normal to speak in slang bc thats the colloquial speech. I have friends from saudi arabia and they speak in us 'slang'.. think about all the foregihers that do. bet the venezuelans in nyc are gonna pick up that slang to. its just communicating

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  8 місяців тому +3

      Very good points but I think we actually agree to an extent. Think about your experience learning it, you probably are one of the people that sound super authentic when you speak using Colombian Spanish because of your experience learning it. For many people that didn't have your experience it doesn't come off as authentic or natural. Also with certain U.S. slang I think it would be completely fine for the people in your example to use it but other words and phrases would sound odd. I'm thinking specifically about certain southern phrases that just don't sound right without the cultural element there. Great points again

  • @faceofbob
    @faceofbob 8 місяців тому +3

    100% agreed! I reached the same conclusion a couple years ago, but about a different area of Spanish: regional accents. Although I tend to stick with the most neutral slang in both English and Spanish, I’ve always loved using Mexican and Puerto Rican accents while speaking Spanish. Today, I don’t use them very often, but I still want my Spanish to sound good enough to represent my current level of B2 purgatory. So I have adopted the sound of “el narrador de documentales”. I find that speaking like this leaves room for native speakers to “teach” me things and also makes me more receptive to learning. Just recently, I asked a native speaker a question about their use of “cabr*n” and got a very detailed and nuanced explanation that broadened my understanding of the word and situations where other words would be more appropriate yet equally cool. I would’ve never asked the question if I had been speaking with a Mexican accent and would have missed out on some gems.

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  8 місяців тому +1

      Agreed 100%. The pros of speaking with a neutral accent as a non-native speaker outweigh the cons tremendously. I even had a student tell me that I'm actually safer in their country speaking with a neutral accent because it would be considered as non-threatening. I'm content with speaking well but not being perceived as a native. I actually like when people have accents in English yet speak very well. It's kind of cool if you ask me.

    • @tjohnson4517
      @tjohnson4517 8 місяців тому

      B2 purgatory!, 😅

  • @ba8898
    @ba8898 8 місяців тому +3

    Your point about respect is 100 percent true. Latin America is still quite a traditional part of the world where certain formalities that have been lost in much of the West are still adhered to. If you go around speaking too casually to someone you don't know well enough and in the wrong context, there's a strong chance they'll feel disrespected even though you didn't actually say anything disrespectful. This is why you won't see a Mexican saying "Que onda?" or even "Que tal?" to an elderly shopkeeper they hardly know, for example. Anything less than "Hola, buenos dias/buenas tardes/noches" would be seen as inappropriate in that context.

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  8 місяців тому +1

      Agreed, it can be used but with tact and in the right context. Many people don't catch that though and go around using it in the wrong situations.

  • @nikkicruz4609
    @nikkicruz4609 8 місяців тому +2

    Estoy completamente de acuerdo, Mike. ¡Tu ejemplo sobre la jerga de jamaica fue perfecta!

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  8 місяців тому

      Gracias Nikki!

  • @bonnielubsey1354
    @bonnielubsey1354 8 місяців тому +2

    Once again, Mike, very valuable video! Thank you!

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  8 місяців тому

      Thanks Bonnie!

  • @thekschannel8563
    @thekschannel8563 8 місяців тому +1

    Totalmente de acuerdo con ud Sr Mike y una vez más decirle que ud no deja de asombrarme con el dominio del Español. Nos ha explicado exhaustivamente y con ejemplos el por qué? de tener mucho cuidado al usar jerga en otro idioma. En nuestros propios países latinos nos sucede e incluso dentro de un mismo país ( por ejemplo el mío Cuba) utilizamos frases y palabras en diferentes edades y en distintos grupos de educación en las personas. Me dio mucha gracia lo de el pito pues en Cuba puede significar ambas cosas y también el pito que se le da a los niños en los cumpleaños para que hagan bastante bulla. Nada más que decirle que me dio mucho placer escucharle como siempre. Happy Thanksgiving for all of you🙏

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  8 місяців тому

      Muchísimas gracias abuela y que tenga un excelente día de acción de gracias también! Su perspectiva aca es muy valorada!

  • @eoino5099
    @eoino5099 7 днів тому +1

    great advice

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  7 днів тому

      Thanks and I'm glad this helps

  • @IamTeddy100
    @IamTeddy100 4 місяці тому +1

    I am from Toronto, Canada and I can confirm we do not talk like that, Mike 🤣. I would either find it humorous or give you side eye depending on your demeanor lol.

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  4 місяці тому +1

      Thank you for that confirmation lol

  • @quicktempa
    @quicktempa 8 місяців тому +1

    Aight now that i watched the video I feel you for sure

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  8 місяців тому

      Insirado por ti

  • @franceshall7127
    @franceshall7127 8 місяців тому +2

    gracias te entiendo cierto

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  8 місяців тому +1

      Gracias como siempre a ti Frances

  • @jeffonken4769
    @jeffonken4769 8 місяців тому +1

    Mike, agradezco tus palabras y el vídeo. Realmente estás hablando de respeto y de no meterte en problemas porque solo querías parecer chido y tal vez no tan inteligente. No dijiste que no usaras jerga, pero sí dijiste que no lo convirtieras en el plato principal al hablar español. Mantente humilde y disfruta de la experiencia. Creo que tienes razón. Mil gracias.

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  8 місяців тому

      Así es Jeff, esto es exactamente lo que quería comunicar con este video. Gracias por tu comentario

  • @khalalw
    @khalalw 8 місяців тому +1

    Yeah I agree for sure. I just had a chat with my Spanish tutor telling him that I’ll probably never use the word ‘güey’. I’m learning Spanish, but I’m not from Mexico. IMO, it’s got a lot of cultural context that I might not get right as an outsider. I think it’s important to respect these nuances.
    I do use words like “chévere” though, because I feel it’s a bit less risky and probably less likely to be misused considering it’s more light hearted.

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  8 місяців тому +2

      This is the nuance that I was referring to. I don't know why but I also feel much more comfortable saying "chévere" compared with saying "güey". To me some words are just too culturally connected for me to try to use with random people. Not gonna lie, with some Mexican buddies of mine I often let the phrase "este güey" slip out but they get it.

  • @Leekautorepair
    @Leekautorepair 7 місяців тому +1

    Yes I feel the same way. Slang sounds cool at first but then I realized that is not how one should learn a language. For me slang in another language makes me feel less educated. Because if this I’ve been correcting my grammar in English and I like it a lot.

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  7 місяців тому

      This is another good point. I don't necessarily associate slang with lower education because we all use slang in English but we know when to use it and when not to depending on the setting and who we are speaking with. The same applies in Spanish.

  • @sniffrat3646
    @sniffrat3646 8 місяців тому +7

    Great stuff Mike. My Spanish ex used to swear like a drunken sailor so I assumed that she wouldn't mind me saying joder, gilipollas, mierda etc. Not so. "You sound ridiculous!" she said one time. Thinking about it she was right. At the end of the day I just wasn't part of the "clan". From that time on I just used to swear in English when I got frustrated

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  8 місяців тому +3

      This is exactly what I was describing in this video. It just doesn't sound right when we try to go to far into it. Some things just sound weird coming from non-native speakers. Gracias for your perspective here.

    • @sniffrat3646
      @sniffrat3646 8 місяців тому

      @Ben-tn4qz I picture me, an Englishman, coming to the USA and putting on a fake New York accent, for example. No one's fooled into thinking I'm American and I'm just going to feel embarrassed. I imagine that's how my Spanish sounded to her.

  • @LarryLLittle
    @LarryLLittle 8 місяців тому +1

    Estoy de acuerdo 100% Slamg is risky because in my opinion it can be cultural, generational and just different for every country and region. There is a guy on IG that has an ebook promoting learning Spanish slang and while it’s a different niche, I just feel it’s a no no. I once tried to used something I read in response to someone asking Cómo estás. The English translation is “alive and kicking” the older Mexican gentleman was thrown off by the response so I had to revert back to text book talk. So great topic!

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  8 місяців тому

      Agreed 100% Larry! Great points here hermano

  • @quietmusic808
    @quietmusic808 6 місяців тому +1

    me parece una buena idea llegar a conocer bien a ellos que quienes hablas antes de utilizar cualquier jerga. Porque si esuchas esa persona usar ciertas palabras quiza sea una señal que la puedes usar tambien.
    trabajo con personas con las que me siento cómodo y me gusta aprender su jerga

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  6 місяців тому

      Aprender y usar la jerga un momentos correctos es una herramienta muy poderosa. Hay que utilizarlo de una forma delicada en mi opinión. Gracias por su comentario

  • @TimXMan1000
    @TimXMan1000 8 місяців тому +1

    I have a question for you. Have you ever thought about developing a certain accent in Spanish. As someone who’s been learning Spanish for about four years now. When it comes to developing an accent to sound more “native” What accent do you think is the “best” (which is subjective btw) but the best as someone who is not a native speaker. Most people as beginners learn Mexican Spanish because it has the most resources to learn besides castilian but we are American no need to use vosotros. Mexico has a huge population and the accent is somewhat easier to understand as it’s slower. native spanish speakers ask me if I’m Mexican. (Which is funny because I’m a black guy from the D.C) 😂 but do I really want to sound Mexican? I always thought maybe I should mimic more of a Dominican accent or a Colombian accent. What are your thoughts

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  8 місяців тому +1

      Whichever you feel more connected to is best. I would say focusing on the Mexican accent can give you what some would call a more standard form of speaking but you can't go wrong with any country as long as you are understood.

  • @ba8898
    @ba8898 8 місяців тому +1

    Que transa, carnal? Estoy en mi canton wachando tu video. Es muy chingon tu canal. Me late un chingo. I agree with you, Mike. I use Mexican slang with Mexicans quite often, but always in a humourous way. I don't think I'd be very likely to use it in a serious conversation. There was a master's law student from an obviously wealthy family in Greece at my university in the UK who'd somehow adopted London urban slang ("wagwan bredrin, everyting cool yeah?") into his everyday English, and, yeah, it used to sound a bit strange if not ridiculous.

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  8 місяців тому +1

      It has its place but this is exactly what I'm describing here. Gracias por este comentario

  • @jellis2165
    @jellis2165 8 місяців тому +2

    Hello, I have been studying Spanish for close to two months now. I read short stories, I have a workbook, I listen to podcast and watch a lot of UA-cam videos on Spanish language rules. I have also listened to most of your videos. I feel I'm all over the place, and I not sure when I should start talking in Spanish to practice. I do well with reading Spanish but I cannot understand any Spanish being spoken. Please any advice?

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  8 місяців тому +1

      You need to spend time listening and it needs to start with very simple Spanish, preferably listening content tailored for beginners. Listen out for the words that you know and progressively your listening will improve. Keep gradually increasing the difficulty of the listening exercises and your listening should improve. Check out my video titled “How to Improve Your Spanish Listening Skills”

    • @jellis2165
      @jellis2165 8 місяців тому

      Thank you so much for responding to my question. I love your book and its helping me out so much. I will also check out your video on " How to Improve your Spanish Listening Skills. @@MikeBen

  • @givemekape2418
    @givemekape2418 27 днів тому +1

    Bro you do great accents 😂

  • @ledelste
    @ledelste 8 місяців тому +1

    Yeah man, people love to explain some things, and giving them a little space to tell you what “cuate” means and what their word for “popcorn” is etc, it’s just good manners

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  8 місяців тому

      That's it exactly, good manners. Some people don't view it that way though

  • @ATLsOwn
    @ATLsOwn 8 місяців тому +1

    Mike B... Can you do a video on using some of this new AI stuff to learn Spanish please? Like this latest version of ChatGPT. Based upon you actually trying it, giving it prompts for conversations with you, etc... Do you think it would have accelerated your learning or enhanced it in any way.? I know there are quite a few out there, but we enjoy the way you explain things.

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  8 місяців тому +2

      Thank you for that idea. I haven't used much of that side of AI but I can check it out and let you all know for sure.

    • @ATLsOwn
      @ATLsOwn 8 місяців тому

      @@MikeBen My guy! Gracias Caballero!

  • @hdhhdh158
    @hdhhdh158 8 місяців тому +3

    Joder is definitely a swear word

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  8 місяців тому

      Thanks for that clarification

    • @osoperezoso2608
      @osoperezoso2608 8 місяців тому

      It's also used as a verb lol. "No me jodas" for example

  • @bayouhombre9110
    @bayouhombre9110 8 місяців тому +1

    Are you referring to the accent as well?

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  8 місяців тому

      No I think that is understandable, an accent isn’t as invasive as certain slang, cultural words in my opinion. I think people are actually more flattered when they hear you speak with their accent.

  • @kingly71
    @kingly71 4 місяці тому +1

    just be authentic right? we all know when we're forcing it, and it's almost surely transparent when you do. I actually live in Atlanta Mike, originally from NY. Been here for 10 years and I use y'all now. Feel like I own it, its a fantastic linguistic tool of course I'm going to use it.. but my wife still doesn't. Just speak your voice, nada más.

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  4 місяці тому

      Agreed, I don’t think the south has a monopoly on y’all anymore lol.

  • @Chrisg8960
    @Chrisg8960 8 місяців тому +1

    Great stuff

  • @osoperezoso2608
    @osoperezoso2608 8 місяців тому +1

    Depends on who I'm talking to. If I'm talking to my friends that are Internet memers, i can chill with them and know that they'll understand me. It's a random person or someone not that close, i won't. For the most part, i really only learn slang to understand others. Rarely do I actually use it.

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  8 місяців тому +1

      Great points, it really depends on who you are speaking to.

    • @osoperezoso2608
      @osoperezoso2608 8 місяців тому

      @@MikeBen everything has context but I hear what you're saying. Even still, depending on how you use it, it could come off as a mockery of culture if you're not careful.

  • @bayouhombre9110
    @bayouhombre9110 8 місяців тому +1

    Gotta admit it..fit fun. But that's about it . I don't think I can turn it off now brother lol

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  8 місяців тому

      I understand lol

  • @augustine2024
    @augustine2024 8 місяців тому +1

    Taking away what gives a dialect its own unique twist . So what if someone doesn’t understand it learn the other ways to say it too but I think that’s just bland in my opinion

    • @MikeBen
      @MikeBen  8 місяців тому

      I don't completely understand here. Can you clarify?